An updated version of the popular compendium of recommendations for preventing common health care-associated infections (HAI) in acute care hospitals has been published in the Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology.
“What makes the compendium unique is its commitment to the usability of its content at the ground level,” Margaret VanAmringe, executive vice president for Public Policy and Government Relations at the Joint Commission, said in an accompanying commentary. “By presenting information in a format that can make operational sense out of complicated knowledge, the compendium jump starts the ability of health care professionals to translate essential information into practice.”
Compiled by the Joint Commission in partnership with the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and other health care organizations, the updated compendium:
- Synthesizes best evidence for the prevention of surgical site infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and hand hygiene
- Highlights basic HAI prevention strategies and advanced approaches for outbreak management and other special circumstances
- Recommends performance and accountability measures to apply to individuals and groups working to implement infection prevention practices
The entire compendium is available online. A bound supplement will be available for sale in the fall. Additional information about this topic is available via the Joint Commission’s HAI portal.
